Real life MMD: Should she sell a family heirloom?

bagrat

Heirlooms hold sentimental value as well as monetary but once they're gone there maybe no way of getting them back, i've lived with the regret of my mother selling my grandmother's clock in times of hardship. If she is feeling guilty already by just thinking about selling then she shouldn't and work out another way to clear her debts.

Maat

This is quite an easy one to answer actually. The hard part is for your friend. She needs to pack the kids off back to school after half term and then find a quiet time for herself when she won't be disturbed (switch off the phones). Try some deep breathing if that'll help (a count in of 4, hold for 2, out for 6 is a good one), be seated and comfortable with no distractions and let the mind do its work. She should imagine having sold them and see what she feels. Let the feelings come to her. And if they don't then go off and do something else for a while and wait.

I hope she works it out. Frankly I don't think she'd be worrying about it if she felt ok about selling the rings but that's just what I get from your story, I may not be right.

Wish her luck from me anyway

pjfm

I inherited my Grandmother's engagement and wedding rings.
On Jan 4th 1991 they were stolen from my house.
I used the insurance money to buy a piano as, being incredibly heavy, that would be unlikely to be taken by burglars!
My daughter (21 years later) is now a first class pianist studying at The Royal Academy, London.
Though I still mourn the loss of the rings I recognise that there was a better use for them.

milvusvestal

Beyond sticking it in drawers to gather dust, jewellery has to have one main purpose - and that is to get rid of it and spend the proceeds on something useful, like house repairs.

It would be different if you wore it regularly, or even occasionally, but you don't. I suggest you photograph the items as a permanent memento before you sell them. At least you'll have something as a reminder of better times.

Sarah_JB

Hi, I was in your situation so totally understand. I sold some of my Mums' jewellry to pay school fees after having given it lots of thought. My Mum would have wanted me to give son good education and I felt, would be very happy to know that there was a good reason for doing it. Its a good time to sell now and as long as the money is put to good use. Maybe keep one that you like for your children and you, but if its gathering dust and your house needs work (your house will prob be their inheritance too...so its like for like). I hope this has helped and I am sure you will come to the right decision for you x

Chia

Would the grandmother rather you have a better quality of life for your kids and reduced stress for yourself even if it means selling the stuff? If yes, then go for it!

Would the grandmother have been offended if you sold the stuff? If so, she was probably a curmudgeonly old gal, so - sell away!

smiler6900

:(You should be aware that you may only get scrap value for Grans rings. Need to find a dealer who is interested in these things and bartter hard. all the best. I'm sure Gran would love to think she can help you:A

Squire_Fulwood

The worst scenario

You sell them but don't get anything like enough cash to help you with your problems.
You remain in financial trouble and have feelings of regret about selling family heirlooms.

The best scenario

You sell them and in the process you discover that one or more is extremely valuable and solves all of your problems.
You have no regrets and spend the rest of your life feeling happy about selling them.

All you have to do is decide which one of those two is the most likely.

ioh

Sell the rings if she needs the money and they are just sitting in the wardrobe anyway.
I left my mum's charm bracelet in my dad's house after mum died - I didn't want to take it and cause a row with my sister, but unfortunately dad's house was broken into last month and some scumbag robbed the bracelet, and now I don't have the keepsake and I won't have the opportunity to pass it on to my daughter...........
My point being don't leave it in the wardrobe - put it to good use, either resize it and wear it, or else sell it, your grandmother would not want you struggling - I know my mum or grandmother wouldn't want me to struggle. Good luck x

JayD

Of course it is hard to part with something that has so much sentimental value -and with some sense of being a caretaker for the future - but at the end of the day, her children must come first and I am sure granny would agree. So seh mustn't feel bad, she should feel grateful to granny for helping hr out when she needs it so badly.